Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-03-23

on their part solves the problem and ter
inmates the agitation. Virginia will act il
good faith, will pay her debt thus ascer
tained and acqniesced in by both contract
ing parties, and which has been concurred
in by both political parties, because hel
revenues will prove inadequate without IN.
creasing the burdens of her people,
have the honor to transmit herewith q
brief report by the Attorney General of the
legal decisions upon the debt question since
the last adjournment of the General As
sembly in order that they may be duly con-
sidered In any further legislation on the
subject.
THE CODE.
The attention of the General Assembly
is also directed to the work of the Revisers
of the Code. Under the "Act to revise and
digest the Code and Statutes of Virginia. -
approved March 18th, 1884, it was made
the duty OF three persons, to be elected by
the General Assembly, to collate and re-
wise all the general statutes, civil and GRIM
inal, OF this Commonwealth, which may be
in force at the time of the completion of
their work. Judges Burks and Staples and
Maj. John W. RELY, the gentlemen selected
that the text of the Code, both civil and
criminal, will be completed to-day or with
in a few days. They were authorised un-
der the law to ''deliver the whole of their
work at one time, or parts at different
times, to the Public Printer, who shall
print fifteen hundred copies thereof"
In order to have their work accurately
printed their personal supervision was
thought to be necessary, but up to this
time their duties have been so continuous
and heavy that they have not been able to
supervise this printing, and hence it has
not been done. If their work is to be re-
ferred to one of the standing committees or
to special committee, would recommend
that it be done at the earliest possible mo-
ment and before entering upon other legis-
lation. Such committee should be given
the power to print, examine and report, and
with the aid of the revisers they could test
the accuracy of the printing as it is daily
done. Information from every part of the
State convinces me that this work of the
revisers is required as soon as possible in
the best interests of the people. / cannot,
therefore, too strongly urge upon your at
tention the Importance of its adoption at
this session. The time and attention be-
slowed upon it by the revisers, their high
character and great legal attainments,
guarantee that their work has been faith
fully and intelligently performed. They
have had unexampled difficulties to contend
with. Any one at all familiar with the
history of legislation in Virginia is painful
ly aware of the confusion and difficulties of
construction in our entire system of legis-
lation for many years. There has been no
revision of the laws since 1916; for, as the
| Legislature is aware, neither the Code of
| 1860 or that of 1873 has any claim to con.
sideration as revision. They are mere
compilations of the laws. l ask your
prompt consideration of subject of such
great magnitude and importance to the
State.
INSANE AsYLUMs.
The last subject have to present for
your consideration, relates to our unfortu-
nate citizens whose demented condition ap-
peals so strongly to charity. 1t should be
the duty of the State to provide them with
proper medical attention in order that they
may be restored, if possible, to health; to
to watch over their safety, to make them
comfortable, and in every way Care for
those who are unable to care for them
selves.
1t affords me pleasure to be able to report
to you that the new asylum at Marion for
the insane, making the fourth now erected
in the State. has been duly completed. A
Board of Visitors has been appointed for
its management, under whose direction it
will soon be equipped for the reception of
patients, and under the direct management
of the experienced and skilled physicians
the Board have SO wisely placed in charge
will, | hope, be in successful operation in
the near future.
l cannet refrain in this connection from
calling your attention to the splendid work
of the Building Committee, to whose con-
scentious, faithful, and intelligent labors,
whether in erecting building, whose ar
chitectural design and construction is most
creditable, or in the judicious and ecenomi-
cal management of the funds appropriated
fer that purpose, deserve the grateful ac-
acknowledgement Of the Commonwealth
From information Ia my possession. am
satisfied this new asylum will be filed as
soon as it is opened by the insane whites
now waiting its readiness to receive them,
and who, in consequence of the crowded
condition of the asylums at Staunton and
Williamsburg, have been confined hereto
fore in the jails or at their homes. The
dictates of humanity now demand that you
should make provision to ameiorate the
condition of our colored fellow citizens who
are affected with lunacy and who cannot be
accommodated at the Central Lanatic Asy-
lum near Petersburg because of its oye1-
crowded condition. The asylum there
should either be enlarged or suitable ac-
commodatiens provided elsewhere, so that
as soon as possible every colored patient
suffering with mental malady may be given
the advantage which kind treatment by ex-
perienced physicians and trained nurses can
bestow. Under an existing law (Code Of
1878, page 722, section 3S), the court in
whose Jail any lunatic may be confined shall
when practical and proper contract with
some fit and proper person for the msinte-
nance and care of such lunatic out of the jail,
and to make allowance therefor not ex-
ceeding what is authorised for a lunatic
confined in the Jail, and the expenses, SER
vices, and all allowances shall be certified
to the Auditor of Public Accounts for pay
msnt.
This law has not been construed by the
Auditor as authorising him to pay for the
transportation of either the said luuatics
or the necessary guards, nor has it been
found practicable to make arrangements for
said transfer, because the expenses of the
maintainance of an insane person is necss-
sarily greater than that of an ordinary
criminal confined in the .jails, and therefore
it is difficult to find sit and proper persons"
who are willing to undertake to maintain
and care for them for what it costs the
State to maintain them in the jails. I re-
commend that the Executive be authorised
to make such temporary arrangements, at
as small expense to the State as possible, as
will comfortably provide for the lunatics
now in the jails, until they can be placed
in the regular asylums where their treat
ment and safekeeping will be secured.
In conclusion, submit to the legislative
department of The Commonwealth all these
difficult and grave questions with perfect
confidence that when history prepares an
indictment against governments, it will be
found that by your wise legislation and
harmonious counsels. the ancient fonn-
datiens of our ''Old Dominion have been
strengthened, and that all obstacles in the
path of Virginia's future growth, glory,
and greatness have been surmounted.
An Elegant Substitute
For Oils, Salts, Pills, and all kinds of bitter,
nauseous Liver medicines and Cathartcs is
the very agreeable liquid fruit remedy, Syr-
I'D of Figs. It's advantages are evident